FARMERS’ UNION

Grey River Argus, 18 May 1943, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

CONFERENCE AT HOKITIKA. | The annual conference of the West Coast Provincial Council of the Farmers’ Union was held at Hokitika on Saturday. Thirteen branches were represented. Mr W. Vallance j presided during the first part of the conference and reported on the work of the Dominion Executive. I The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £289 14s. ; The following officers were elected: : President, Mr W. Searle, Junr. | (Harihari); Vice-President, Mr H. 1 Becker (Hohonu); Delegate to Do-j minion Conference, Mr Mark Wai- ■ lace (Kokatah); Treasurer, Mr A. McDonnell (Totara Flat); Auditor, Mr H. G. Carter (Kamaka). The Committee were elected en bloc, except that Mr P. Hansen (Harihari), replaced Mr Field (Harihari), and the Emergency Committee was reelected.

The Secretary’s action in investing £2O in the Liberty Loan was approved. A Kokatahi remit that compulsory | membership of the Union be supported was lost by only two or three votes. i The following remit was adopted, and has been forwarded to the Hon., J. G. Barclay for submssion to the Dairy Board at its meeting this 1 wee k:—“That this conference send to the Dairy Board an emphatic protest against the low price received for dairy produce when all other wage-earners have increases. It is time the farmers demanded an in- j crease or refused to supply.” ; Two remits were passed concern-i ing damage to rural land by minijig ; operations. One, from the Grey V.al- I ley Branch, urged that mining rights ' be uplifted on all productive West j Coast lands. The second read: “That we ask the Dominion Conference to endeavour to secure protection for West Coast farmers from damage by mining operations, and that full compensation be paid where damage is now occurring if it can be proved to be the fault of mining companies.” The conference, after discussion advocating the extension of the railway line from Ross to Kakapotahi, decided that a deputation from the head office of the Union, in Wellington, with delegates from the conference, wait on the Minister of Rail- ■ ways, in Wellington, and remind ; him of his promises in the matter, j The following remit was also pass- | ed:—“That '.back-country farmers be placed on the eligibility list for tyres; that this conference unanimjously supports the principle of cooperative ownership of all industry, and heartily commend the Dominion .and Provincial Executives for bring-

ing forward this all-important matter; that in respect to the distribution of grain, offal and all other stock foods particularly vital to primary producers when efforts are being made to maintain and, if possible, to increase the production of foodstuffs, and in order that these commodities shall reach the producer at the very minimum of cost, co-operative organisations be placed on a basis of absolute equality with wholesale distributors, respecting their right to draw supplies direct from the manufacturer; that where water pipelines have to pass’ under a railway line for farmers’ stock or any other purpose other than commercial use. no charge be made other than for the necessary deeds; that it be a remit for the annual provincial conference to urge the Government to release gumboots for the use of dairy farmers and workers; that we protest

against the action of the Government in witholding portion of the payment for wool; that whilst realising the necessity of maintaining the high grading standards, information be asked for as to why there is so much difference between the price of first and second grade lamb, and that all first grade lamb (44 lb. and under) be paid for at the same price, that we ask for a two months’ postponement in respect to the restriction order on pig flesh so far as the Coast is concerned; that farmers be allowed to purchase straight-out super instead of reverted super; that the Government be asked to increase the subsidy on beds from 6s for all Hospital Boards.”